Traveling can be such an exciting experience, whether you’re travelling alone, with family or friends. In only a couple of hours you can travel across the country or even to the other side of the world. The one thing that stops most people from travelling as much as they want to is expensive plane tickets.
Instead of paying hundreds or thousands out of pocket for a ticket, you should look at getting a credit card that offers airline miles for every dollar you spend. It’s a cost-effective way to spend money on the everyday things you normally would anyway, while earning points towards your next vacation.
Here are the top 5 credit cards that could be earning you a free plane ticket:
1. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Even though this card carries an annual fee, it offers amazing rewards on airline miles. Within the first 3 months, you can receive a one-time bonus of 40,000 points after you spend $3,000. With the Capital One card, you can earn two miles for each dollar spent. There are no blackout dates, and you can fly with the airline of your choice and stay at the hotel of your choice.
You can earn as many miles as you need, and miles do not expire. The card does not charge foreign transaction fees. For the first year, your annual fee is waived, and then it gets bumped up to $59 each year. The APR runs between 13.49%-23.49%. The cash advance APR is higher. The down side is you will need good credit to qualify.
There is no cost for balance transfers. You can redeem your points as statement credits for travel. You have a 25-day grace period, and the card offers fraud coverage. With the Capital One card, you can receive free concierge service, and it comes with free roadside assistance.
2. Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
If you fly Delta Airlines, this is an excellent card for you. Within the first 3 months, you can earn 30,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000. After you make a purchase with Delta within the first 3 months, you will receive a $50 statement credit. Purchases with Delta will earn you 2 miles for each dollar spent, and you will earn 1 mile on all other purchases.
On Delta flights, your first bag is checked at no charge, which can really add up to big savings for you. You receive priority boarding, so you can board the plane earlier. The card is free for the first year and then $95 annually after that. There are no blackout dates on Delta Flights. The APR ranges from 16.24%-25.24%.
The balance transfer fee is 3%, and you have a 25-day grace period. You receive Skyclub access. You do need good to excellent credit to qualify, and you can get pre-qualified on the website. You can start redeeming for travel at just 10,000 miles. You pay no foreign transaction fees, and you receive complimentary travel insurance.
3. Chase Sapphire Preferred
With this excellent airline travel card, you earn 2 points for each dollar spent on travel and restaurants. All other expenses earn you 1 point. You pay nothing for the first year and then $95 after that. No foreign transaction fees are charged.
After you spend $4,000 within the first 3 months, you receive 50,000 bonus points. If you add an authorized user within the first 3 months, you get an extra 5,000 points. You receive a 20% discount on travel booked through Chase. You have the option to compare airlines to help you find the lowest price and travel times that you prefer.
The APR will be between 16.49%-23.49%. There are no blackout dates or restrictions. With the card, you will receive travel insurance, fraud liability, emergency support, and price protection. You receive baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and trip cancellation insurance.
4. Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard
This travel card is free for the first month, and then charges $89 annually. You can earn 2 miles on each purchase made. Within the first 3 months, you can earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000. You can redeem miles for airfare, hotels, and numerous other things. All you have to do is book the trip, and then go online and receive a statement credit. You pay nothing for foreign transaction fees.
The card offers flexible options in travel. You can book with any airline or hotel, and there are no blackout dates. You can earn as many miles as you want, and you can redeem for travel with only 10,000 miles. You have access to the Barclay Travel Community where you can share your travel stories and receive miles.
You receive complimentary concierge, and there is an identity theft hotline. You will have purchase security, trip cancellation insurance, and auto rental collision damage coverage. Each time you redeem, you get 5% miles back toward your next redemption. Balance transfers are free within the first year, and then it ups to 3%. The APR ranges from 16.49%-23.49%.
You can receive free FICO online credit scores. You will need good to excellent credit to qualify for this card.
5. Discover It Miles
This card offers excellent air travel rewards, and there is no annual fee. You will receive 0% APR on purchases within the first 14 months, and balance transfers are 10.99% for 14 months. After that, the APR runs from 11.49%-23.49%. You will earn 1.5 miles on each dollar spent, and you can redeem miles for a travel statement credit.
At the end of the first year, the card will match the rewards you have earned. There is no limit to the rewards you can earn. You will receive $30 credit each year for in-flight Wi-Fi.
With each statement, you receive your free FICO credit score. If your card is lost or stolen, you can receive a free overnight card replacement. You are not responsible for purchases that you do not authorize. Redeeming the rewards is simple, and they never expire. If you have lost your card, you can freeze it quickly, so no one can use it.
There is no late fee on your first late payment, and there is no over limit fee. You can have access to customer service 24 hours, and the card is widely accepted.
When looking for an airmiles credit card, you need to decide the things that are important to you in a card, and research the companies. If you are alright paying an annual fee, make sure that the rewards outweigh those fees.
Make sure you get a good interest rate. Most of these cards require good to excellent credit, so check your credit score before you apply for a card. When you’ve decided on the card for you, go about your normal day making purchases and enjoy using the miles you wrack up.
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